Dhaka: Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain today stated that the government has no restrictions on BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman's return to Bangladesh, emphasizing that a one-time travel pass could be issued within a day if he expresses an interest in returning. "If today he (Tarique Rahman) says that he wants to return, we can issue a one-time travel pass tomorrow. He can board a plane the day after. There is no problem. It's entirely up to him," he remarked during a session titled "Bangladesh's Foreign Policy: Defining a Relevant Role in a Changing World," organized by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at the National Press Club.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Touhid mentioned that the government is unaware of Tarique Rahman's current status in London. He added that it would be unusual for any other country to prevent Rahman from returning if he wishes to come back to Bangladesh. He further clarified that when someone wants to return but lacks a valid passport, a single-journey travel pass is typically issued, a process that usually takes less than a day.
Discussing Bangladesh's relations with India, the foreign affairs adviser noted that following changes from the July mass uprising, neighboring India needs time to adjust to the new realities. He expressed optimism that working relations between the two countries would soon normalize, stating, "We would like to have a better working relations with India based on interest."
Addressing concerns about whether the election schedule would be affected if Tarique Rahman does not return, Touhid asserted that he does not believe the election would be hindered by the absence of any individual. Referring to former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Touhid mentioned that although it is believed he is in India, New Delhi has not provided any official confirmation, and no formal discussion on his return has occurred.
"I do not have any official information regarding Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. We all know that he is in India, but that has never been formally communicated to us in writing. I have no information that any extradition process involving him is going to begin," he added. Touhid also noted that as the deposed former prime minister Sheikh Hasina has been convicted, Bangladesh expects her repatriation from India at the earliest possible time.
Referring to killings along the Bangladesh-India frontier, the foreign affairs adviser highlighted that this is one of the only borders in the world where people are killed outside any war-like situation. "If someone commits a crime, there are courts to try and punish them (not shooting them)," he remarked. The adviser stated that Bangladesh would continue to lodge protests and condemn such killings of its citizens along the border by Indian border guards.
DCAB President AKM Moinuddin and General Secretary Md Arifuzzaman Mamun also addressed the audience at the event.